It is barely a month from now for the NPP delegates to go the polls and select a Presidential candidate for the Party and Ultimately Ghana as a whole. The stakes are very high for the two main political parties of Ghana ; namely the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC). As the NPP strategizes for retention of power, the NDC recompenses its political tools with the hope of snatching power from the NPP. Both parties are drawing lessons from past experiences and the realities on the political grounds for amends in trying to avoid any repeated mistakes which will lead to unpardonable consequences. The general anticipation within the two main political parties and among political analysts is that election 2008 would be decided by floating voters. Readers who have been perusing my articles with carefulness would realize that I have been hammering on four major issues for the selection of the NPP flagbearership that are echoed by the party elders.
The NPP, NDC and political analysts believe that election 2008 would be decided by floating voters.
1) The NPP would give the nod to someone who endears to the floating voters and not a polarizing candidate because as an incumbent party, the party cannot afford to go into a run-off which will be a disaster. Historically, incumbent parties lose elections in run-offs. This is a blend of fair and realistic analysis over here.
2) The NPP delegates are throwing their support behind someone who wields solid track record. I mean monumental track record and not just a mere one.
3) I have also stated that the Party elders are uncomfortable with a polarizing candidate winning the nod. The elders are also skeptical about a candidate without solid track record wining the node.
A Realistic Inference and Analysis of the Four Dimensions
1) Mr. J.H. Mensah declared at Koforidua and I quote “The Presidential aspirants need to re-exam themselves” Mr. Appiah-Menka clearly added in a publication in the daily graphic regarding selecting a candidate with a solid track record.(Daily Graphic 23rd of November 2007 edition) The list goes on and on.
2) Realistically, Hon. Osafo-Maafo endears to floating voters on the basis of his solid track record and humility. Ghanaians and the floating voters in their wisdom have nicknamed him ‘Oyeadeayie”; meaning a mender as well as “Oseadeaye”; meaning someone who delivers on his promises.
3) Importantly Osafo-Maafo is credited with his ability to work very well with both the NPP and the opposition parties in Ghana in moving national policies forward. This is a fact that is recognized by both the NDC parliamentarians and the NPP parliamentarians as well. He has always conducted his service to the country with maturity. Ghana needs a consensus builder who has the solid track record to move the country forward.
It is no wonder that there is a holistic behind the scenes discussion among the NPP delegates and within the inner circles of the NPP that the party cannot afford to go into a run-off. It has always been a political disaster for an incumbent party to go into run-off with a main opposition party. Hence there is the need for a candidate of the likes of Osafo-Maafo who endears to the floating voters to be given the nod to represent the NPP in the General elections of Ghana . The selection of a polarizing candidate or in other words a candidate who is not endeared to the floating voters will quickly spell a political doom for the party which the delegates have been sensitized to avoid at all cost.
Hon. Yaw Osafo-Maafo, who is a leading contender in the race for the NPP flagbearership has declared that Ghanaians already know about his solid track record and the humility with which he leads. He lamented that Ghanaians and the NPP delegates are discerning enough to remember that he is equipped with the visionary skills and the humility needed to steer the affairs of Ghana . He further stated that the willingness of the NPP delegates to give him the nod is not a mere coincidence but it is based on their in-depth assessment of his performance over the years as someone who has proven beyond all doubts that he can effectively manage an enterprise with a positive result oriented impact which has been the reminiscent of all the splendid indelible prints he leaves behind in every enterprise he has ever managed. He was of the view that as resolute and firm as he is, he has always performed his service to the nation with prudent tact and humility knowing that he has been elected to serve and not to lord over the same people who have given him the mandate to serve” I have always found solutions to difficult situations for this country. I am highly convinced that both the NPP delegates and the floating voters are looking for acceleration in Ghana’s economic growth and economic development that would be felt by people in all the three levels of income group. I also believe that my party wants a candidate with solid track record to lead the country. Permanently transforming the economy into the pockets of ordinary Ghanaians is my goal and that is the aspiration of all Ghanaians and I share their aspirations”
CONCLUSION
With Osafo-Maafo in the helm of affairs of Ghana we can be assured of accelerated sustainable economic development that will take into consideration, the needs of the current generation and the future generation. That is how we can build a better Ghana .
Written by: Francis Opoku Asante
The writer is a Medical Insurance Specialist (UAT/Clinical Operations), Bed.POPLE, Currently pursuing Masters of Science in Accountancy (MSA), Former SRC President (University of Cape Coast)
